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South Lafourche native reigns as Queen of Endymion

South Lafourche native reigns as Queen of Endymion

South Lafourche residents may recognize a familiar face aboard a royal float in this year’s Krewe of Endymion parade in New Orleans.

Hannah Autin, a 2015 graduate of South Lafourche High and daughter of Shull and Elizabeth Autin, was selected as the krewe’s 2018 queen.

“As a little kid, I used to love watching the parades on St. Charles,” Autin said.

Since seventh grade, when he submitted her name for consideration, she’s been waiting to be called from the list of potential queens.

“My parents came home one day and said I have a chance to be a maid or a queen,” Autin said.

The choice wasn’t too difficult, she said.

But as she waited and waited, a thought always stuck in the back of her mind that it would fall through and she would never get to wear the crown.

“I can’t believe it’s happening,” Autin said.

Until this year, she’s only participated in one parade -- Des Petite Lions, a children’s krewe in Golden Meadow.

Endymion, with more than 3,000 members, is New Orleans’ largest parade, with more than three dozen floats.

When the parade rolls Feb. 10, Autin can be spotted in her ornate white dress, balancing the large jeweled crown on her head. Celebrating the 300th anniversary of New Orleans, the krewe’s theme is “Jazz: Our Gift to the World.”

“I’m most excited to see all the people,” she said. “I heard once we get to Bourbon Street the road is just packed.”

The Endymion Extravaganza will follow the parade at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with headline artists Rod Stewart and Jason Derulo.

Since graduating from South Lafourche High School, Autin has been studying biology at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. She hopes to become a women’s health specialist to help women become more informed about their bodies.